By Karl Kimbrough, Cleveland Urban News.Com Sports Writer
CLEVELAND,Ohio-The Washington Wizards strutted into Cleveland Tuesday night looking to steal a win away from the Cleveland Cavaliers but came out a loser as Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao (both pictured, with Irving on the left) led the team to a 94 to 84 opening season victory over the Wizards.
Cavaliers Coach Byron Scott said that he was pleased with an opening home win in the city's Quicken Loans Arena.
“For a home opener-first game I thought our guys played pretty well," said Scott.
The Cavaliers had mustard a commanding 12 point lead at the start of the fourth quarter as the Wizards trailed, 74-62. But a 14- run by the Wizards came after Irving and the starters took a break and the second unit entered the game, making the score 74-76 in favor of the Wizards.
Wondering how long he could keep his starters out, Coach Scott brought Irving and his starters back in the game with seven minutes to go, and with the Wizards up by two points.
Irving knew he had some tricks up his sleeve that he hadn't shown yet.
Before he came back into the game Irving, a point guard, had tapped Coach Scott on the leg and said, “Don't worry about it coach, I got it.”
During the fourth quarter Irving proceeded to take the game into his own hands by hitting a three point shot and then attacked the Wizards defense with a ball handling display that left them wondering what happened.
Irving used his skills to set up his team mates with lay ups again and again. In short order the game was back under Cleveland's control, sending them over 20,000 ruckus fans in attendance home with a smile.
Irving would finish the game with 29 points and six rebounds, yet he was not the only star of the game.
Varejao , a 6'11" power forward and center, almost had a triple double with 23 rebounds 9 points and 9 assists. He had 12 offensive rebounds, which ties a record that he now shares with Zydrunas Ilgauskus and Michael Cage.
Dion Waiters helped too, and showed his critics who thought that he was overrated and not worthy of the number four draft pick.
Waiters scored 17 points and out played fellow rookie Bradley Beal who scored eight points.
Beal was the Cavaliers number three pick in this summer NBA draft.
Tristan Thompson played well too, and added a double double by finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Reach Karl Kimbrough at Kimbrough@Cleveland Urban News.Com
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